Stats

Commentary

The referee blows his whistle for the final time and the Chelsea fans erupt with joy. It's been a largely easy day for the Blues, who were given little to think about by a Leicester side that struggled at both ends of the pitch. The reigning champions never looked comfortable at the back and offered little of a threat up front, with Vardy, Musa and, later, Slimani all failing to cause too many problems for a Chelsea back line that were gifted a relatively comfortable afternoon.

FULL-TIME: CHELSEA 3-0 LEICESTER CITY

90' + 3' The home side regain possession and patiently pass the ball around in the middle of the pitch as they attempt to run down the clock. Leicester caused them a few problems at the start of the second period but, overall, it's been a very comfortable afternoon for an impressive Chelsea side.

90' + 2' Leicester push forward on what could prove to be their final attacking move of the game as they try to carve out a late chance on goal, but a swinging cross from the right wing is overhit and fails to find Vardy, who was lurking with intent over at the far post.

90' The fourth official has indicated that there will be three minutes of added time.

89' Alonso and Costa link up wonderfully well deep down the left wing as the latter sets up the former with a lovely flick that takes Hernandez out of the game. The Spanish wing-back then breaks towards the edge of the penalty area before firing an audacious cross-cum-shot, but it fails to hit the target or find a teammate before sailing harmlessly out of play.

87' Vardy picks up the ball just outside of the Chelsea penalty area quickly swings a dangerous cross over to the far post, where Slimani is in a good position in front of goal. It's well hit by the England international but fails to find the Algerian, who nonetheless applauds his teammate's effort.

85' A curling free-kick from the right wing is only half dealt with by Chelsea, allowing Drinkwater to unleash a strike from the edge of the penalty area that is deflected out for a corner. Mahrez sends it towards the near post, but this time it's Chalobah who's there to clear the danger at the vital moment.

83' King breaks down the right flank as he desperately tries to find a way back into the game for his struggling side, but he ends up firing a low cross away from Vardy and into the hands of Courtois at the near post.

R. Loftus-Cheek

E. Hazard

82' Meanwhile, Loftus-Cheek comes on to take the place of Hazard.

O. Aina

V. Moses

82' Moses receives a rousing round of applause from the Chelsea fans as he's replaced by Aina for the final eight minutes of the game.

N. Chalobah

Assist

80' That was an absolutely stunning piece of play by Chalobah, who picked out Moses with a beautiful flick that he pulled out with aplomb.

V. Moses

Goal

80' GOAL! What a stunning goal from Chelsea! Moses cuts inside from the right wing and tees up Chalobah, who immediately flicks the ball back to Moses with a beautiful back-heeled pass. The Nigerian wing-back then only has Schmeichel to beat, and he's easily able to do so with a well-placed low shot under the body of the Dane.

79' Chance for Matic! The Serbian weaves across the edge of the Leicester penalty area before firing a low shot off the outstretched leg of Morgan and towards the bottom right-hand corner of the net, but Schmeichel is just about able to push the effort round the post and out for a corner.

77' Once again, Leicester try to carve out a chance on goal with another lofted pass forward, but this time it's Drinkwater who completely misses his intended target with a lofted, cross-field pass that fails to find red shirt before bouncing out of play for a goal-kick.

75' Fuchs picks up the ball midway inside the Leicester half of the pitch and immediately tries to pick out Drinkwater with a long pass down the left wing, but the midfielder's run forward is slightly mistimed and he's flagged offside as soon as he makes contact with the ball in a good position.

A. King

M. Albrighton

74' Leicester have made their final substititution of the afternoon, with Albrighton making way for King.

73' What a block by Morgan! Kante powers towards the Leicester box, who then breaks into the right-hand side of the penalty area. He heads towards the byline before cutting back a low pass that is deflected into the feet of Kante, but the midfielder's first-time strike is deflected away by the outstretched foot of Morgan.

72' After a frantic 10 minutes or so, the pace of the game has slowed down somewhat, with Chelsea sitting slightly deeper now as they try to hold on to their two-goal lead and keep a determined Leicester side at bay.

70' Vital interception by Fuchs! Hazard breaks down the left wing on a great run before picking out Costa on the edge of the penalty area. The Spaniard takes a quick touch and then looks to shoot, but he's quickly closed down by Fuchs and is unable to beat the defender.

N. Chalobah

Pedro

68' Chelsea have also made an alteration, with Chalobah taking the place of Pedro.

R. Mahrez

J. Schlupp

67' Meanwhile, Schlupp was made way for Mahrez, who immediately heads over to the right wing.

I. Slimani

A. Musa

67' Leicester have decided to make a double substitution. The first player to come on is Slimani, who replaces Musa up front.

66' Vardy, who, like Musa, has been far more involved in the game since the half-time break, charges into the left-hand side of the penalty area before fizzing a low cross into the middle of the box, but, once again, the home side are able to deal with the danger before a red shirt can get a shot away.

64' Almost an own-goal from Luiz! Hernandez sprints down the right wing before finding Albrighton, who then fires a low cross towards the near post. Luiz dives in front of the pass and is able to meet it but he ends up poking the ball towards goal, but luckily for the defender it ends up ricocheting off the woodwork and away from Vardy.

63' Costa drives forward on a great run as he muscles his way through the middle of the pitch. He charges towards the edge of the Leicester penalty area before trying to set up Hazard over on the left wing, but the Spaniard is unable to beat Fuchs with his low pass and the visitors are able to hold on.

62' Schlupp tries to beat Moses down the left wing, but the Nigerian does well to keep him at bay before quickly teeing up Kante. The midfielder spots a run forward from Hazard before firing a lofted pass over to left wing, but it's slightly overhit and, despite his best efforts, the Belgian is unable to keep the ball in play.

60' Pedro gets himself into a pocket of space deep down the right wing and tries to pick out Costa with a low cross into the heart of the penalty area, but it's sent too near to Schmeichel and the goalkeeper is easily able to collect the ball under very little pressure.

59' A pass from Hazard is cut out by Musa, and now it's Leicester's turn to counter quickly. Albrighton darts down the right wing and threads a lovely through-ball into the path of Vardy inside the penalty area, but Luiz is there to out-muscle and dispossess the striker.

58' Excellent counter-attack by Chelsea! After dealing with the danger, Kante flies down the left wing on a brilliant run. He skips past several Leicester players before sending a great low pass into the path of Moses, but the wing-back's first-time shot is beaten away by a great one-handed, diving save from Schmeichel.

57' A lofted pass into the Chelsea penalty area almost finds Albrighton at the back post, but Alonso is just about able to beat the winger to the ball before knocking it out for a corner. The set-piece is whipped towards the near post, but it skims the head of Morgan before being cleared by Costa.

55' Musa, who has seen more of the ball since the start of the second half than he did in the entirety of the first period, wins the ball back in the middle of the pitch before trying to pick out a teammate, but the Nigerian's pass forward is poor and rolls straight into the hands of Courtois.

53' Leicester come back once again and move the ball around quickly deep inside the Chelsea half of the pitch. It finds Albrighton, who is in a pocket of space just outside of the box, and he's allowed the time to spin before firing a strike that flies a few yards over the top of the crossbar.

52' Leicester, who have switched to a 3-5-2 formation, are starting to get more into the game and are causing Chelsea a few problems. Once again, Musa breaks forward and this time is able to penetrate the penalty area, but he's unable to pick out a red shirt with his low cross and it's cut out by Courtois at the near post.

Azpilicueta

Yellow Card

51' Azpilicueta brings Musa crashing to the ground with a poor sliding challenge that results in a free-kick for Leicester midway inside the Chelsea half of the pitch. It's thumped towards the edge of the box and bounces over to Musa, but the Nigerian's attempted volley is poorly hit and sails comfortably over the top of the crossbar.

50' Pedro twists and turns just outside of the Leicester penalty area as he tries to beat both Huth and Fuchs, but he goes down under a challenge from the former and immediately appeals for a free-kick. Once again, the referee isn't interested, and play continues with a goal-kick.

48' And now Leicester appeal for a penalty! Drinkwater darts down the right wing before firing a low pass across the penalty area and into the feet of Schlupp. It's met well by the wing-back before he clatters into Moses, but the referee doesn't see anything in the coming together and instead awards a goal-kick to Chelsea.

46' Immediate penalty shout for Chelsea! A lofted pass is thumped into the Leicester penalty area, where it finds Pedro, and the Spaniard immediately unleashes a thumping half-volley. It seems to strike Fuchs on the hand, but the referee waves away Pedro's protests and allows play to go on.

46' And we're underway once again!

The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half. Neither side have made any substitutions during the half-time break.

So far, so good for Chelsea, who have bossed possession and head into the half-time break with a comfortable, and well-deserved, two-goal lead under their belts. The home side have continually caused problems for Leicester's struggling back line, who don't look anywhere near as solid as they did last season. Morgan and Huth have been all over the place, with the former's woeful defending resulting in the Blues' opening goal. In midfield, the Foxes have been outclassed and overrun, leaving Vardy and Musa completely isolated inside the Chelsea half of the pitch.

HALF-TIME: CHELSEA 2-0 LEICESTER CITY

45' + 1' Chelsea work the ball around nicely as they push forward on one last attacking move before the half-time break. Moses wins his side a throw-in before trying to dart into the right-hand side of the penalty area, but he's dispossessed by Drinkwater before he's able to do so. The wing-back half-heartedly appeals for a free-kick, but the referee isn't interested and allows play to continue.

45' The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.

44' Hernandez gets himself into a good position again over on the right wing before curling a cross over to the edge of the Chelsea penalty area, where it finds Musa. The Nigerian has barely touched the ball but is finally presented with a chance on goal, but he ends up sending his tame headed effort well wide of the near post.

43' Alonso and Hazard link up well deep down the left wing before the latter cuts past Hernandez and breaks into the Leicester penalty area, but his thumping shot is closed down by Morgan and the captain is able to stop it from troubling Schmeichel.

41' After dealing with the danger, Chelsea break forward and work the ball up to Costa, who is then tripped from behind by Albrighton just five or so yards outside of the Leicester penalty area. Once again, it's Luiz who steps up and fires a dipping shot from the set-piece, but this time it's straight at Schmeichel and the Dane is able to parry it away.

39' Leicester come back once again and win themselves a corner, which Alonso is just about able to send out for another corner with an unconvincing clearance. This time, Albrighton's curling cross almost finds Morgan on the edge of the six-yard box, but Courtois is there to punch the ball away from danger.

38' Hernandez breaks forward on his first attacking run of the game before swinging a wonderful low cross into the heart of the Chelsea penalty area, but Luiz is just about able to get a touch on the ball to send it away from Vardy, who had made a great run towards the near post.

37' Vardy and Musa have been feeding off scraps, with neither of the strikers seeing much of the ball. Chelsea have overrun the reigning champions in the middle of the park, leaving the two forwards completely isolated inside the home side's half of the pitch.

35' After spending almost all of the game thus far camped inside their own half of the pitch, Leicester are finally able to push forward before winning themselves a free-kick over on the right wing. It's taken short before Drinkwater whips a wonderful cross into the penalty area, but it misses everyone and ends up bouncing out for a Chelsea goal-kick.

Pedro

Assist

33' There was an element of good fortunte in the build-up to the goal, but, once again, Leicester's defence didn't look entirely convincing. There was a mix-up between Huth and Hernandez before Fuchs let Hazard slip past him far too easily.

E. Hazard

Goal

33' GOAL! Chelsea have doubled their lead! Pedro picks up the ball 25 yards away from the Leicester goal and immediately slips, but he does well to flick the ball over his head and into the path of Hazard. The Belgian flies past the visitors' back line and into the penalty area before rounding Schmeichel and tapping the ball into the back of an empty net to make it 2-0 to the hosts.

31' Morgan and Alonso wrestle for the ball deep down the left wing, and, initially after looking as if he had come away as the winner, the Leicester captain is penalised and Chelsea are awarded another free-kick. Alonso steps up and curls a dangerous cross into the middle of the box, but Morgan is there to head the ball away from danger.

29' Chelsea quickly come back and win themselves a corner, which is whipped right on to the head of Cahill. The centre-back meets it well and nods the ball over to Luiz at the far post, but the Brazilian is unable to keep the ball in play, despite his best efforts with a comical scissor-kick that sees him completely miss making contact with the ball.

28' Luiz hits the post! The Brazilian defender steps up and fires a brilliant side-footed strike from the free-kick that beats Schmeichel as it heads towards the top left-hand corner of the net, but it swerves slightly too much and ends up ricocheting off the woodwork. What a goal that would have been!

R. Huth

Yellow Card

27' Hazard picks up the ball just outside of the Leicester penalty area but is immediately brought down from behind by Huth, who gives away a free-kick in a dangerous position before becoming the first player to receive a yellow card.

25' Chelsea patiently pass the ball around inside the Leicester half of the pitch as they try to find a way through the sea of red shirts camped in front of them. Cahill spots a run forward from Moses and quickly tries to pick him out with a lofted pass over to the right wing, but it's slightly overhit by the defender and, despite his best efforts, the wing-back is unable to keep the ball from bouncing out for a goal-kick.

23' Moses, who has started the game well over on the right wing, darts towards the edge of the Leicester penalty area on another strong run, but Fuchs is there to cut out the danger after the Nigerian's final touch is slightly too heavy and sends the ball away from his feet.

22' A Chelsea attacking move breaks down, and Leicester immediately try to hit the home side on a quick counter. Vardy heads towards the halfway line before teeing up Albrighton, who then blasts the ball forward, but winger's attempted pass is poorly hit and can only find the feet of Azpilicueta.

20' Moses twists and turns on the right-hand side of the Leicester box before spinning and picking out Pedro. The Spaniard is in a pocket of space and is able to whip a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Hernandez does well to beat Hazard to the ball to head it out for a throw-in.

19' Lovely pass by Kante! The former Leicester midfielder picks up the ball 25 yards away from the visitors' goal and immediately chips a beautiful ball into the middle of the penalty area. Hazard darts towards goal and meets it well before trying to unleash a volleyed shot, but he scuffs his effort and ends up sending it spinning harmlessly into the hands of Schmeichel.

18' Leicester have their backs against the wall, but they're just about managing to hold on. Kante, Costa and Hazard all move the ball around quickly on the edge of the penalty area before the latter tries to slide into the box, but he's just about cut out by Huth before he can do so.

17' Luiz barges into Drinkwater and knocks the midfielder to the ground, resulting in a free-kick for Leicester on the halfway line. It's sent short and worked over to Albrighton, who then swings in a cross from the left wing, but it's sent too near to Courtois and the goalkeeper is easily able to cut out the danger.

15' The first 15 minutes have been dominated by Chelsea, who have bossed possession inside the Leicester half of the pitch and are continually making life very tough for the reigning champions. The visitors have seen little of the ball due to the pressure being put on them by the home side's hard-working midfield.

13' Chelsea come back once again down the left flank, and this time it's Alonso who flies forward. The Spaniard beats Schlupp and cuts inside before firing a low cross in search of Moses at the far post, but Albrighton does well to dive in front of the ball to stop it from finding the Nigerian.

12' Pedro holds up the ball deep down the left wing before spinning and finding Hazard in plenty of space. The Belgian breaks into the box and heads along the byline before firing a low cross into the middle of the box, but Huth is just about able to clear the ball before it can find a blue shirt in front of goal.

11' Kante piles through the middle of the pitch and heads towards the Leicester penalty area before setting up Pedro, who is in a great position just inside the box. The Spaniard has an opportunity to shoot but is slightly too slow to react, resulting in him being dispossessed before he can unleash a strike.

9' Chelsea pile forward on another determined attacking move, and once again they win a corner over on the right wing after Fuchs is forced into thumping the ball out of play. Once again, Hazard tries to pick out Matic at the near post, but this time Albrighton is there to clear the danger.

N. Matić

Assist

7' Matic did well to flick the ball through to Costa, but the striker had been left completely alone at the far post. The Leicester captain didn't anticipate Costa's run and was made to pay for some very poor defending.

Diego Costa

Goal

7' GOAL! Chelsea have taken an early lead! The resulting corner is fired towards the near post, where it finds Matic. The Serbian flicks the ball through his legs and over to the far post, where Costa is completely unmarked and easily able to fire a low shot under Schmeichel and into the back of the net.

6' Moses go close! A long pass forward from Fuchs is cut out and Chelsea immediately hit the visitors on a quick counter. They work the ball forward wonderfully before Moses fires in a low cross from the right wing, but it takes a deflection off the leg of Fuchs before Schmeichel is just about able to tip the ball round the near post and out for a corner.

4' Chelsea come back again quickly as they move the ball around well deep inside Leicester's half of the pitch. Costa picks up possession just outside of the penalty area and immediately tries to set up Hazard with a deft flick, but Huth is there to cut out the danger at the vital moment.

3' After an even start to the game from both sides, Moses breaks down the right wing as he tries to carve out a chance on goal for the home side. He's quickly closed down by red shirts and is unable to do so, however, forcing the Nigerian into playing the ball back to Azpilicueta on the halfway line.

1' And we're off! Leicester get us underway, attacking from left to right.

The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.

Meanwhile, Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has made three alterations to the team that featured against Southampton in their last outing, with Danny Simpson, Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani making way for Luis Hernandez, Jeffrey Schlupp and Ahmed Musa, respectively.

Antonio Conte has decided to make just one change to the Chelsea side that started the victory against Hull before the international break, with Pedro coming in to the starting line-up to replace Willian, whose mother sadly passed away during the week.

There’s just over 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this afternoon…

Like Leicester, Chelsea have so far only managed to win against teams that currently find themselves in the bottom half of the table, with their two big clashes - against Liverpool and Arsenal - both ending in defeat. The Blues looked slightly more comfortable in a 3-4-3 against Hull, and it looks as if Conte has decided to continue with that formation as he attempts to get his side back on track.

As for Chelsea, they head into this afternoon’s five points ahead in seventh place, but it’s been far from plain-sailing for them as well. A 2-0 win against Hull City before the international break stopped the rot, but two defeats and a draw from the three games preceding the victory indicated that new boss Antonio Conte hasn’t yet been able to fix the issues that plagued them so terribly last season.

It’s been a lacklustre start to the season for Leicester, who have managed to pick up only eight points from their opening seven games, leaving them just four points clear of the relegation zone in 12th place. Swansea City and Burnley, both of whom lie below the Foxes, are the only sides that they have so far managed to beat, whilst they have already lost as many league games as they did in the entirety of last season.

Claudio Ranieri will no doubt make time for a little smile when he steps out on to the pitch this afternoon, but he will be well aware that today’s clash looks set to be another tricky one. The Italian returns to his former club as a Premier League winner 12 years after being given the boot, but the tables have turned and it is now his side who are languishing in the wrong half of the league standings.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge.